Be....

Source: fabulouskblog.com via Vintage on Pinterest

Life is like Soap

This is something I had written some time ago.  I thought it was appropriate for this week's Etsy feature...

I have come to the conclusion that life is like soap.

Every single decision counts. The ingredients, the stuff its made of, is critically important. Extra care must be exercised when deciding what stays and what goes. Career choices, partnerships, living arrangements, likes, dislikes.... it all winds up in the enormous pot that is your heart, waiting to be mixed.  If, for some reason, we rush into this selection, the consistency of the mixture does't flow. Is not right. But in reality, the true test of the ingredients comes with the lye.

The lye's job is to break down the ingredients. It melts them and transforms them into a completely new and unique element. It bounds the ingredients to such degree, that they no longer represent their original state. And so it is with life too. As we grow older, relationships bound us, tide us, and leave profound marks. When we get closer to the heat of tests, our souls transform into something we didn't know we were. And all we are left with is patience. Waiting. Letting things settle, and hope that the soap sets.

It is at this point when we decide if the choices were correct. If we got it right in the first try, or if we need to make adjustments. Go back to the ingredients and shuffle things one more time, and try again. This is the true craft of soapmaking. And I believe it is a craft that lasts a lifetime.

We will end up with a soap in our hands. We will enter our own space, in the bath, our own quiet time, and we will try the soap. It is there, you alone with the soap, where you will enjoy the results and smile. In the end, the smile is what matters. The true satisfaction of a well lived life accompanied by the small luxury of a good handmade soap.

Limoncello and Tuscan Rosemary Handmade soap, by TallulahasSoap

Turquoise Stone Glycerin Soap, by TwinDreamCreations

Mmm so sexy! Luxury Japanese Black Kimono, by TokyoFactory

Great idea for party favors-Bridal Shower listing, by DirtyDeedsSoaps

I have actually bought this seller's soaps before... Perfect Rose Vegan, by DeShawnMarie

Simply Lavender Soap, by cocoandlolabathbody

Black Raspberry and Vanilla Goat's Milk Soap, by KcSoapsnMore

For me, handmade soaps are small luxuries that anyone can afford.  Remember to follow the link below the photos and visit these wonderful seller's shops for more information.

Royalty in the making

So it seems the only thing everybody's talking about is the Royal wedding taking place tomorrow.  Bravo for the couple! I wish them well.

Today, while working on some party favors for my friend's baby shower, I tuned in the movie "Young Victoria".  It was so good, I decided to share the trailer with you.  An entirely different era with entirely different royalty.

Spoken Word Poetry: Inspiring

The three things I know...
1. Light is everything
2. My heart is mine
3. I can do anything

What are yours?

A Galaxy of Possibilities

Hey all!! Just a quick note to let you all know about my own Etsy project.  Rustika Photography is my little baby, and it's slowly taking form.  Don't worry, I will not flood the space with self promotion.  I will continue writing and sharing goodness the same way I've been doing so far.  But now you know where my mind is when I'm not blogging... 


You can look me up in Facebook, if you're into it...


http://www.facebook.com/pages/RustiKa-Photography/194676803898075

Monday Quotes: Resistance

a winter wind, a photo by brookeshaden on Flickr.

"The more important a call or action is to our soul's evolution, the more Resistance we will feel toward pursuing it." Steve Pressfield

Consider this...

Source: marcypenner.tumblr.com via Mandy on Pinterest

For the Love of Paper

When I was a little girl and my mom had to go out on a trip, she would always get me a little gift.  The gifts were always either socks or paper, don't ask me why.  And, although I knew what to expect, I would wait for them as if it was the first time.  The socks I used all until they either got lost, or succumb to the wear and tear.  The paper, I have kept through all these years.

I used to have pen pals with whom I exchanged letters.  I had a pen pal from Greece, another one from Finland, and I think I even got a letter once from Japan.  Wherever the correspondence traveled, my paper delivered the message impeccably.  I was very proud of my collection, and my mom was even happier to see her gifts being put to good use.

After my communication with my foreign friends ended, I used most of that paper to make little origami figures.  I still have a few of my early models as reminders of a simpler life, when all I needed was a piece of paper to travel around the world or invent a magnificent little creature.  I truly respect and adore the art of paper, and here I give you some beautiful examples.... for the Love of paper.

I fell in love with this mobile ever since I laid my eyes on it, by SpareBedroomStudio

Custom silhouette portrait, by jennyleefowler

Mesmerizing! This artist cuts her little paper figures, arranges them in magical composites for her photography, by theaterclouds

I learned about Mabona Origami some time ago while searching for origami inspiration, and I was very glad to see that they have an Etsy shop, MABONAORIGAMI

Such a handy and clever idea, printable cutouts to use as party decorations as many times as you need, by tomkatstudio

I really liked this Art Deco style handmade card, by Inviteddesign

Remember that you can visit each of these Etsy sellers by clicking on the link under each picture.

Support Handmade.... if you like what you see, drop a comment and visit the links!

It's Only Love

I found this video and I loved it.  A super cool animation effect filled with lots of love and heartache.... I guess we can all relate to that.  Enjoy!

A mermaid from within

Maiden... ocean has a maiden soul, a photo by Gordana AM on Flickr.

I have been going through a very transformative period.  Let's say that sometimes I feel as if I was thrown into a deep blue ocean, and I am now emerging as a completely different being.  A mermaid, perhaps? Yes, a mermaid could be the best description.  Half human, half mythology.  A merge between what I previously was with my new self.

In my previous life, I lacked sensitivity, I lacked passion.  My life was predetermined by my conscious self as a series of steps that needed to be done.  Tasks to be completed.  There was not much room for art, although I craved it, or tenderness, although I so much needed it.  I somehow convinced myself that things were the way the were.  I had to adapt.  But it came the day when adapting didn't work anymore.  That's when the transformation began.

Today, I hang on to my soul as my own way of surviving.  I fear that, as my previous, practical, human part of the mermaid approaches I will loose all the passion and idealism I have welcomed in.  I will fight for this newfound knowledge, I will protect my fragility.  But I also need to leave space for common sense, for reason.

I guess my new challenge will be to keep the balance, and to acknowledge the mermaid from within.

Have you let your mermaid come out from her ocean?

Great song playing on my stereo...

Spanish is my mother tongue.  So, I pretty much listen to music in Spanish all the time.  After a late morning breakfast, my sweetie turned on Pandora on our TV and this is the first song that came out.

I absolutely love it!! So I'm sharing it here with you with this youtube video that has the subtitles in English.  Excellent songwriting by a great artist....

More on Alejandro Sanz here....

A dreamy kind of Friday

I have been feeling languid and thoughtful lately.  While looking for inspiring imagery, I've had the tendency to reach for dreamy and subtle photography on items that are equally dreamy and subtle.  Here are my picks for this week's Etsy feature...

Hand Dyed Tea Tulle Skirt, by ouma

Girl's Dress with train and petticoat, by vintageprecious

King Size Eco Friendly My Lovely Dream bed set, by LovelyHomeIdea

The Strange Planet, by thegoodmachinery

A message on Kindness

When you serve your fellow human beings, you are stepping up into a higher ground of self accomplishment.

Love what you do, Live what you love, and share the goodness with others.

Who you are Today...

✈ goodbye HI, a photo by SARAΗ LEE on Flickr.

I just came back from a two week getaway with my sweetheart.  We went up north to visit my sister and we had the most amazing time.


As I come back to my usual routine, I have been thinking about my present standing, who I am today, and what I stand for. This quote just popped into sight and describes exactly my state of mind...

You are at crossroads.  This is your opportunity to make the most important decision you will eer make.  Forget your past. Who are you now?  Who have you decided you really are now? Don't think about who you have been.  Who are you now? Who have you decided to become?  Make this decision consciously.  Make it carefully.  Make it powerfully.

-Anthony Robbins

All things fluttery

I have a weird fascination with insects.  My dad taught me very early not to be scared of these odd looking beings, and instead encouraged me to respect them and admire their beauty.  Here is a collection of my favorite insect art in the Etsy community.

A mix of woodburning, pencil and paint by TheHauntedHollowTree

I LOVE this Brass Butterfly Ring by PhenomenaJewelry

This is something I would really like to learn.  Mounting real insects is such a beautiful way of adding nature to your everyday living.  By REALBUTTERFLYGIFTS

Fine Art Photography for me is one of the most fun and diverse collections you could ever have.  A lovely butterfly photograph by jessicatorres

You can access the shops of any of the these artists by following the link below each of the pictures.